DD&S:What is the Paralounge? Para-Lounge

Clint Tipton The Paralounge has become a community of drum circle enthusiast and educators. I have an event that creates an experience of self expression through rhythm. Through drum circles and rhythmic interaction, persons can become self empowered through freedom of expression and musicality.

DD&S:How did it start?

Clint Tipton: The Paralounge host festival drum circles at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Drum circle always happens after the show and we would supply the space and wood for the fire. Drummers began to show up at the drum circle before dark. The show cost $130.00 for admission and these guys were ready to drum before the main stage was done. So it was apparent that the drum circle community needed a place to gather. So we created the Paralounge Drum Gathering. An event that caters to the drum circle community at a cost the entire family can afford the experience.

DD&S:Who attends?

Clint Tipton:In July of 2002 we started the drum gathering. One hundred and twenty people showed up. Mostly long haired tye-dyed folks showed up. Thirteen drum gatherings later and we have seen an evolution in the community. The format of the event is educational. The workshops are cultural and educational with fun interaction. We attract a lot of educators that see the potential of the drum circle and the benefits it can give to Senior citizens, teens, and other community programs. We are very proud to have music teachers attending that the schools pay for. We are successfully promoting the drum circle into the education programs in schools.

DD&S:How successful is it?

Clint Tipton: Considering we only promote the event with the website and flyers, we do well. Our intent is a quality experience with 500 persons or less. We believe we would lose a bit of the family atmosphere if it grew beyond where we are. We get a lot of folks that tell us twice a year is not enough. We currently have the River Rendezvous campground as our base and that gives us free range to organize more drum circle events.

DD&S: How has it changed?

Clint Tipton:
We have become more organized. The event has evolved with the community needs and ideas. More workshops are offered and more performance ensembles have become available. The children we saw running around drum circle have become teenagers and young adults.

DD&S:How has it changed or affected you over the years?

Clint Tipton:As I have organized each drum gathering, I learn and evolve with it. I have learned about human behavior and the impact that rhythm has on the body and mind. I have been in festival drum circles, community drum circles, and the drum circles at the Paralounge. Each experience I have learned is significant. I have learned the drum is an open diary. When you play it, people have to listen. When you play it, people know how you feel.

DD&S: You mentioned the stereotype of drummers, would like to address that issue?

Clint Tipton:The stereotype of drummers Drums have been used for many different reasons throughout history. War, peace, healing and celebration are brought together by the heartbeat of the drum. As a new culture of drummers and drum circle developing communities emerge, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves in check. When you mention drum circle, the most common reference will be to hippies and Grateful Dead concerts. There is nothing wrong with that image, until you are trying to promote drumming as music therapy. If you build a drum circle in the middle of a city, expect to annoy someone. If you carry a drum to a protest, expect it will annoy someone. When you carry a drum, you are carrying an instrument of mass attention! So when you play it, say something worth saying. Use it to build a community that will gain respect, and your community will grow. Fall into the noise and watch the police show up and make up an excuse to shut you down. There is all kinds of benefits from drumming that can bring the drum circle into schools and community centers, but to get that far we have to brandish the image that will keep respect and bring honor to those who are doing honorable things. When I played the drums with a 94 year old women and she laughed and smiled, I knew we had to keep this work alive. To do that you can not have people getting an image of noise and drug use. That image has to be left at the concert.